DECEMBER 7, 2018 BY SARAH DUNNWe are having less sex than ever before.According to a recent study done for the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, American adults “had sex nine fewer timesin 2014 than they did in the late 1990s.” This steady decline was clear across the board, transcending gender, race, religion, educational level or work status.In fact, the decline in sex isn’t limited to the United States. Studies conducted in Britain, Australia, and Japan all reflect similarly depressing statistics. Japan takes the cultural shift to another level, where women reported not only a decline in their sex lives but also felt a strong aversion to sexual contact at all. In all countries, married couples had the starkest decrease in sexual frequency, while Millennials and Generation Z were the most affected age groups.

Besides the obvious fact that dry spells are never fun, these numbers also mean fewer people are getting the countless benefits sex provides, including lower blood sugar, a stronger immune system, and improved sleep cycles. It’s so important to our health, a town in Sweden considered giving every citizen a paid hour off of work just to encourage more frisky business.The problemThere are a number of theories as to why this phenomenon is taking place. Anxiety disorders and depression (known to inhibit sexual desire and performance) have never been more common. Technology has increased our accessibility, extending the already lengthy work week to a 24/7 job. Entertainment has never been more readily available, offering passive stimuli whenever we want it. As a society, we don’t like to stand still. We constantly need to do, watch, consume.Problem is, sexy time best blooms out of idle time.According to the prominent sexologist, Nick Karras, the most common reason his clients give when asked about their waning sex life is that “the stress and worries of daily living are affecting their ability to slow down and appreciate one another.” Karras believes that those overwhelmed and distracted feelings a modern life elicits keeps his clients from “letting go and being in the present moment,” two very important factors in ensuring a positive sexual experience.

The solutionSome newbies may think of cannabis use as the opposite of an aphrodisiac, turning what could have been a night of passion into a lazy evening of reruns and ice cream by the pint. But science has proven otherwise; when used with discretion, cannabis can ignite passion and presence in partners. In the past few decades, scientific studies have shown that cannabis users experience more frequent sexual encounters, more intense orgasms, and even a larger number of partners.Frozen in time because of funding and federal prohibition, the most extensive research on the topic was done in the 1980s that proved marijuana use before sex resulted in greater intimacy and stronger orgasms. But with legalization becoming more widespread, many have a renewed interest in how cannabis can affect our sex lives.

In his book, Passionate High: A Guide to Using Cannabis for Better Sex and Creativity, Nick Karras suggests incorporating a small dose of cannabis for increased intimacy:“When cannabis is used in small amounts it can help loosen our analytical minds, giving us the freedom to make new associations and deeper connections in those realms. By using it in a sacred and intentional way it is no longer just another vice for escape, instead, it becomes a powerful gateway to explore and connect.”Can cannabis really be the cure to our modern woes? Maybe that’s a stretch, but when it comes to our collective dry spell, the science is promising. What Karras’s words highlight is that cannabis use and sexuality are different for everyone, and exploring the cannabis alternative for better sex requires intention, intuition, and discretion. “The higher the better” philosophy, for instance, should be reserved for a lazy Sunday on the couch, not when you plan to get frisky.The best way to mix cannabis and sex also depends on the reason for use. Rarely are bedroom antics void of awkwardness. Introducing cannabis can help with a variety of situations that may be tenser than you’d prefer, such as:

Long-term couples who have lost their spark

New partners getting intimate for the first time

People experiencing pain during sex

Women with difficulty achieving orgasm

Men with trouble ejaculating too quickly

Partners with mismatched libidos

Elderly couples looking to reignite their passion

People experiencing body dysmorphia, depression or other social anxieties that inhibit sexual desire and performance

The scienceWomen report better orgasms. Men report feeling more connected to their partner. Why?Much like love, cannabis elicits a chemical reaction. Cannabis contains a number of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Our bodies have built-in receptors for these cannabinoids, which are present in the brain, nervous system, and even sexual organs.When the cannabinoid, THC, binds with these receptors, you experience the euphoric high (in both brain and body) associated with cannabis. Some of the most common side effects of cannabis consumption are a perceived slow down in time, sensitive tactile functions (touch), and stress reduction. All of these symptoms contribute to a better sexual experience.Take some of the other classic benefits of cannabis: pain reduction, mitigating trauma, and bringing awareness into the present. All of these side effects can help restore sexual capacity.According to Karras cannabis also “increases blood flow and circulation which further activates all of the many senses.” When we spoke to Karras, he made it clear that “sensuality leads to sexuality,” so activating all of the senses is more important than most couples consider.

The seriesBut what does “sensuality leads to sexuality” really mean? Where is the line between intimate, mindblowing sex and stoned, dull sex? And how does cannabis compare to other sex drugs on the market?Clearly, the topic of introducing cannabis into the bedroom is as complex as the plant itself. But don’t fret: we’ll answer all these questions and more in our new series about sex and cannabis.In our ongoing series, we will navigate the complexities of properly introducing cannabis into the bedroom, from the how and why to the what and where. Along the way, we will consult our trusted friend and renowned sexologist, Nick Karras. His insight can also be found in his critically acclaimed books, Petals and The Passionate High. Join us as we explore exactly how your favorite plant can spice up your sex life, not leave you high and dry.

As a counseling sexologist and cannabis coach, I see couples from all walks of life working through a myriad of issues relating to sex and love. Most often I hear they have lost desire or connection with their partner, and are unsure about how to restore passion and intimacy. This commonly occurs because of the stress and distractions of daily life—they have trouble letting go of it all, living in the present.

I especially enjoy working with the older generation. Some are first-time cannabis users, but many have fond memories of using cannabis when they were younger, back in the ‘60s. With the onset of retirement and more free time on their hands, they often take stock of their lives and realize their senses have been dulled—there’s no juice, no passion. The story they now have is a pared-down list of half-forgotten events that can be slightly embarrassing in the retelling. They come to me with basically two questions: what happened back then, and how can I recover some of those passionate feelings?Research presented at the Gerontological Society of America found that older married couples who still engage in sexual activity are more likely to report happiness in their relationships and with their lives overall, so it’s no wonder that the 55+ age group are the largest demographic of new cannabis users. When couples don’t seek out and invite sensuality into their daily life experience, why would they be sensual while having sex? Rather than suggest new positions or techniques to have more sex, I encourage my clients to first experience some less challenging forms of sensuality. Take time to rediscover the simple pleasures: listening to music, preparing a good meal, a leisurely hike. Awakened sensual awareness most often leads to mutually satisfying sex. Sex organically springs from that place. And all of those passions are enhanced when using cannabis.Science is now confirming all the incredible medicinal aspects of cannabis, but the powerful psychological benefits of the plant are often overlooked. When used in small amounts (micro-dosing), it facilitates a faster connection and creates an opening on a deeper level—it creates a Zen-like quality, grounding the couple in the here and now. One also notices the quieting of our inner censor, that voice that discredits and blocks rich intellectual, spiritual and sexual experiences. Another familiar hallmark of cannabis is laughter. Not only is laughter therapeutic for the body and mind, but it can also be a form of foreplay. It floods our bodies with dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, and that rush makes us want to cuddle and be playful.​

Sebastian Marincolo describes the “cognitive bouquet of effects” cannabis offers in his book High: Insights on Marijuana. He describes a hyper-focused attention, enhanced episodic memory retrieval, and enhanced pattern recognition, just to name a few. The hyper-focus keeps us in the moment and connected to our partner. It also gives accent to our surroundings — the ambience, lighting, the smell and sounds. I suggest that couples play the music they enjoyed when they first met, bring out old photographs to stir memories and reignite their initial passion. Enhanced episodic memory retrieval is great at bringing couples back to the exciting start of the relationship. During lovemaking on cannabis, pattern recognition can help identify a sexual rut and a sense of your partner’s mood. So turn off the television, shut down the Internet, hide the cell phone and plan to spend the night experimenting with your partner.Trust me, you can relive the glory days. Start by finding a good dispensary with a knowledgable budtender—someone who can provide knowledge about individual strains and suggest products. Every one of us has a unique physical and psychological makeup, so you may have to try different strains of cannabis to find which one works best for you. Be patient and enjoy—it’s a fun journey. I find one that one of the most pleasurable aspects of cannabis is the social element. Remember the fun parties and community we had back in the days?When it comes to cannabis, I can’t overstate the fact that less is more. You want to get high, not stoned. So start out with very little and wait to see how you feel. There are so many different methods of enjoying cannabis today, from smoking or vaporizing to a plethora of edibles. I recommend staying away from the edibles until you know what you’re doing, as it is very easy to take too much. Cannabis is legal now, so talk to your friends and share knowledge. You can also check out my book, The Passionate High, which is filled with how-to information and ideas on how to create a more passionate life.

Let's be honest: sometimes having sex can be a chore. Couples over the span of time have sought ways to un-chore their sex lives, trying everything from known aphrodisiacs like oysters, dark chocolate and red wine, to lubes, sultry lingerie, role play, etc., ad nauseum. Practically, every magazine and website has a column dedicate to spicing up your sex life, each piece of advice seeming to contradict the other. And forget about the legions of books showing acrobatic sex positions only a contortionist could pull off, but is, they premise, a sure-fire guarantee to a mind-blowing orgasm. But what if finding intimate time with your partner is really the last thing on your mind?

Women, with their myriad emotional, mental and physical demands may also feel some pressure to be amazing in the sack. The FDA recently approved a "pink Viagra" designed to increase desire, but its warning label says that it can cause dangerously low blood pressure and fainting when combined with alcohol. So much for wine with dinner. It has been show over and over that a woman's psychological and emotional state can affec for better or worse the sexual experience, from the psychological to the physiological. Some cannabis-centric magazines have columns dedicated to enjoying cannabis with your partner, but many of them seem to be answering questions for the "stoned boner" crowd only. What about real sex for real women with real lives.

"What is female libido? It's desire! For a man it's between his legs but for a woman it's between her ears!" exclaims Nick Karras, a sex therapist based in San Diego, Calif. Karras is the author of "The Passionate High," a book that deeply explores cannabis as an aphrodisiac, a topic he studied for more than two years. As Karras sees it, "We're a very left-brained society. We as human beings are way too in our minds and not enough in our bodies to fully enjoy the sexual experience." Karras believbes that including cannabis can intensify a couple's sex life in very positive ways. "Using cannabis together gives you more empathy and connection to the person you're with, to get the body and mind to open to the possibilities."

There's a lot of snake oil out there when it comes to how to supercharge women's sexual experiences and increase female libido, but the folks at Denver-based GH Labs thinks they may have the antidote. Vance Dugger, the founder of GH Labs, and his Director of Scientific Development Daniel Hernandez have created the K-puff pink, a disposable Kanna-Vape, with just women in mind. The K-puff pink strain, GH-169 (patent pending), intends to balance all three female sexual hormones: estrogen, progesterone and counterintuitively, testosterone, which seems to play a big role in a woman's sexual desire and arousal. Small amounts of cannabis raises testosterone, heart rate, respiration and releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Hernandez explains that GH-169 will give men a "vitalizing effect," and 87 percent of female GH-169 as "primal." Dugger is currently working with a major university on constructing a clinical study of GH-169, so convinced is he of its efficacy.

Think of a woman's sexual journey like a set of three stairs with a soft fall into your's love's arms at the end: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. In the excitement phase, the heart rate quickens, breathing speeds up, and blood flow to the genitals increases, swelling the clitoris. The vagina becomes lubricated and breasts become fuller. In the plateau phase, genital swelling continues and the clitoris becomes very sensitive. Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure keep climbing, and then, hopefully, orgasm, the wonderful release of sexual tension. Last but not least, resolution, where the body's response returns to normal and feelings of well-being and intimacy increase. This is the happy ending version of the female sexual experience.

The unhappy ending was reported in a study titled "Biology of Female Sexual Function" (authored by Drs. Ricardo Munarriz, Noel K. Kim, Irwin Goldstein, Abdul M. Traish) published by the Boston University School of Medicine. They found that a staggering 76 percent of adult American women have some type of sexual dysfunction. So what exactly is that? Lack of lubrication, decreased vaginal swelling, fewer orgasms- if any- and painful intercourse, assuming you get excited about having sex at all. WebMD writes that these dysfunctions can be brought on by work-related stress and anxiety, concern about sexual performance, menopause, depression, guilt or the effects of a past sexual trauma and can include, as the Boston report found, negative sexual experiences.

But, using cannabis as part of your lovemaking can be equal parts trouble and bliss. Anecdotal evidence shows that if the THC levels in your delivery method of choice are too high then female hormones can become "antagonized" and the sexual experience, from the physical to the mental, can become too intense. If men consume too much THC, the experience can be, well, a little droopy. Karyn Wagner of Paradigm Cannabis Group in Humboldt, Calif., branded a sativa-indica variant of Mr. Nice called Sexxxpot. After an incredibly intense sexual experience using the Mr. Nice blend, she learned that it was about 14 percent THC. Sexxpot was branded to help her clients have the same experience, and they have also reported positive results.

Karras says that cannabis is only one piece of the sexual satisfaction for both men and women. "We've gone too far into our heads and we're too disconnected from our bodies. We eat too fast, talk too fast and people aren't slowing down. But cannabis slows you down." And when he says "slow down," he means it. He strongly encourages avoiding edibles and instead to microdose, wait and see how you respond, then perhaps another microdose followed by a little more waiting. But, the wait may be where the fun begins. "Just try different things," he suggest. "Take a bath, take a walk together. Cannabis quiets left brain thinking and lets you see each other in a new way." Taking a page from Timothy Leary, Karras encourages couples to think about (mind)set nd setting. "Make a ritual of the experience! You can role play, or dress up." Or go strain hunting and try different varietals together. "Like wine," he continues, "It takes times to find the kind you love."

"Yeah, yeah," you're thinking, "I can barely brush my teeth before I fall asleep on the couch in my gym clothes wearing "Colbert." Who has the time or energy to create 'rituals' around their sex life? In Karras' view, perhaps we should change the definition of what "making love" is. "Sex can be just laying [sic] around, giggling, and having a good time. You have to decide that you want to have sex and that it has value," he counsels. "You find intimacy and joy in the things you choose."

The last time I got high, I woke up on my couch with an empty jar of Nutella in my hand—so that was the last time I got high. You know what I mean?But it’s very likely I haven’t been doing it right: A growing number of women are turning to cannabis in states where it’s legal to improve their sex lives—and in some cases, experience sexual pleasure for the very first time.

In San Diego, California, where cannabis is legal with a doctor’s prescription, I met with Nick Karras, a sexologist and vocal proponent of using marijuana to treat sexual dysfunction. Karras has spent years collecting data on the effects of cannabis on sexual activity, “with the hopes of promoting wider discussion of the possible uses of cannabis in the realm of sexual medicine.”According to Karras, with the right strain and dosage, cannabis can decrease anxiety, slow down your thinking, help you connect with your partner, and heighten your sense of touch. “Cannabis increases your ability to have empathy with other people, so that you can get into their shoes and get into their feelings,” he says. “All of your senses are alive. You can feel your skin and touch is so sensual when you’re high.”While the plant can have positive effects on both genders, its benefits hold particular promise for women, whose sexual satisfaction so often hinges on the body-mind connection.During my visit, Karras connected me with Ashley DeMarco, a 26-year-old yoga instructor who has recently become an evangelist for cannabis in the bedroom. “It wasn’t until I was using cannabis that I had my first amazing sexual experience,” she told me.As more states move to legalize marijuana, more women will likely experience the fireworks that Ashley describes, too.

Dr. Nick Karras is a practicing sexologist and author of The Passionate High: A Lovers Guide to Cannabis, the book for couples who seek to improve their relationship using one of humanity’s oldest herbal aphrodisiacs. “I was a hippy during the 60s,” Dr. Karras said. “I’ve lived a very sexual lifestyle. I was always fascinated by the body and sexuality.” Dr. Karras makes a living as a coach for men and women who want to connect (or re-connect) in new ways, but his book isn’t just about smoking cannabis and getting laid, it’s about overcoming inhibitions and establishing deeper relationships.“Cannabis is great for enhancing your imagination and increasing your empathy.”

While attending a professional mixer for experts in the field of human sexual relationships, Dr. Karras encountered many scientists who believed drugs like Viagra were the final answer for couples experiencing emotional difficulties in regards to intimacy. When he surveyed countless medical charts about the supposed success rate of pharmaceuticals, the doctor reasoned that cannabis would produce superior results. “The real question was, why aren’t people having sex? Why don’t people get erections?” he asked.The one element that Dr. Karras noticed that was missing from the sexual relationship many couples had was empathy stating, “After a while, sex for some couples is problematic. You tell them to drink a glass of red wine, or to have a date night, but what really needs to happen is that you have to reframe what sex is. Cannabis is great for enhancing your imagination and increasing your empathy.” Dr. Karras realized that applying the psychological effects of cannabis to heal the rifts in the relationships some couples had was far more useful than just prescribing a pill for a hard-on.“Why are parties with cannabis smokers different than parties with alcohol? Why do people like accountants report that they function better when they’ve smoked a little weed?,” Dr. Karras asked. Questions like these prompted him to recoomended cannabis to the couples he worked with, with positive results. “Physically, cannabis is incredible for what it does to the body. All of your senses are elevated. Inhibitions are dropped. It opens up a whole new way of thinking,” he says. “I’ve even had couples tell me that even though they didn’t have sex, they still had a great, romantic evening.”“Physically, cannabis is incredible for what it does to the body. All of your senses are elevated. Inhibitions are dropped. It opens up a whole new way of thinking.”Dr. Karras points out thatThe Passionate Highisn’t just for couples practicing sex with cannabis; it is a useful tool for anyone who wants to know more about themselves. “The book has an emphasis on sexuality, but the more I go into it and the deeper I write, it is about finding your passion in life. It is about finding your personal passion. I’m trying to get people to get back to their body. In Eastern medicine you listen to the body because it has the answers,” he said, “The body is a part of the soul. My book gives reference to that. How can anyone take cannabis and use it to become a better, nobler person.”That is not to say every story Dr. Karras has to tell about couples on cannabis is perfect. “I’d tell couples to get their card and go to the dispensary, but now there are so many tinctures and edibles that it is easy to overdo it. One person is stripped naked, talking to God while their partner is curled up on the bed having a panic attack,” he says. “I remind them that while you cannot overdose from cannabis and die, you still have to be careful. But it brings out our emotions and vulnerability. That can be a good thing for a lot of relationships.”Dr. Karras has noticed that both people don’t have to try cannabis to heal an ailing relationship. “There have been cases where one person smokes out and opens up, creating empathy” he says. “They are able to let go of their inhibitions, and if just one person can do that that it can be enough to help both partners.”Read the original articlehere.

A fulfilling sex life is an integral part of whole-being health and wellness. And cannabis, the whole-body healer, is considered a major player in the field of sexual medicine.

While nothing beats great sex, people are battered when it comes to love and intimacy. Women often suffer with body issues and repression; men often deal with erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety. Many people have been involved in sexual abuse or trauma. These realities have a profound impact on the emotional, physical, and mental stability of an individual, as well as our collective culture.

Cannabis offers many benefits to the realm of sexual experience. It tends to open people up for conversation and promotes bonding. It can facilitate the necessary awareness, reflection, and release needed for healing of past pain. It reduces anxiety and enhances physical sensitivity. Indeed, marijuana helps people get out of their heads (What’s for dinner?) and into their bodies, where present moment sensation can be felt and enjoyed without the incessant stream of thoughts that typically dominate awareness.

For over a decade, Sexologist Nick Karras has been working to gather anecdotal evidence of the effects of cannabis in promoting sexual wellness.

As one 58-year-old male states, “Marijuana is a must for me. When under its effects my erections as well as orgasms feel more intense. This is especially significant in the case of taking the SSRI anti-depressant Celexa, which left me in a state of difficulty even reaching orgasm.”

Another woman describes her story. Between menopause, a full-time job, and three kids, sex was last on her list. She held on to her marriage out of convenience and routine, but felt little connection to her husband. While medicating with marijuana for other reasons, he suggested she give it a try. It provided the psychological freedom and body-awareness she needed to really let loose—and the excitement she now feels for her husband has given new life to their marriage.

These accounts (among countless others) demonstrate the power of cannabis to open avenues for the expression and experience of sexual energy. With the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana use, we see exciting potential for a healthier, happier, sexier nation!

Your trusted advocates at Community Green are here to help you find the right strain to fire up your love-making. Come visit us today!

"The skin becomes an object of affection," Evan*, a man in his 30s, said."I felt like one with my partner," Sharon said."I definitely felt heightened sensations," Athena toldElephant Journal.

No, it isn't a new innovative sex toy or a newly released porn all three were watching — they're talking about having sex while high. As smoking weed becomes an ever-present and accepted force in our culture, we're hearing more and more about how weed and sex can work in tandem. And we're getting smarter about how we can leverage it.

It's not just the toke-happy couples singing the praises of the green. Now, experts, doctors and entrepreneurs are actively innovating to harness the power of weed to improve our sex lives, as the opportunity to reimagine sex lives has never climbed higher.

The science of high play: We haven't always really understood how marijuana interacts with our sex lives (although history shows ancient peoples in India engaged in tantric cannabis use). But the science is picking up as weed becomes increasingly commonplace. The game-changing research came in the 1980s, when researchers Ronald Weller and James Halikas released landmark studies with a notable finding: More than two-thirds of their participants reported increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction from using weed. About half of study participants also said they felt an increased desire for a familiar partner.

They concluded that marijuana had an aphrodisiac-like effect, because it loosens inhibitions, enhances sensate focus, slows the perception of time and creates a relaxed state. How does it work? "Cannabis contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids, the most active and famous being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)," according to osteopathic physician Dustin Sulak, speaking with Fusion. We have cannabinoid receptors all over our bodies, including the glands that control reproduction and our sex hormones.

Knowing how those cannabinoid receptors work means experts and entrepreneurs alike can actively harness weed to improve our sex lives. Among these weed trailblazers, so to speak? Sex therapists.

Just what the doctor prescribed: Sex researchers don't all agree on marijuana's benefits, and some cite drawbacks. But sexologist Nick Karras regularly recommends marijuana as a treatment for couples experiencing sexual dysfunction, and he's begun researching the impact of weed on sex with his assistant Kami Lennox.

"Being a sexologist and an intimacy coach, I am asking myself how do I get couples to reconnect," Karras told Mic. "Most of the books will tell you to drink a little alcohol... But what I've noticed with pot is that it does all the things like giving you sensate focus and heightened touch, but it's also doing something to your brain. It's allowing you to slow down. It's playing with time, it's oxygenating your body."

"MJ makes observable changes in my body — my clit is larger than most when unaroused and becomes engorged, perhaps doubling in size. I can usually feel a slight buzz in my head first, then a tingling in my nipples and breasts, maybe down to my toes, and finally in my genitals," said a female patient, according to testimonials that Karras shared with permission.

It can also aid in a couple's actual interactions. "The conversational and tactile ease that mutual use of marijuana brings out most often relaxes the couple, making the woman more receptive and as a result the man more encouraged," an older research subject said, according to a testimonial Karras shared. That lack of self-consciousness is key to engaging meaningfully in sex. "For me, it's not about blood flow or hardness or anything. It's really a heightened awareness and arousal, more about mental state than physical touch," Evan said.

A whole new world of products: Our growing knowledge of weed's effect on sex is also coming into play with for products. The world of marijuana-enhanced sex toys and personal products is still young, but Mathew Gerson, the founder of Foria, the first-ever personal lubricant made from liquid coconut oil that contains THC and other cannabinoids, thought that the ancient plant could have a key role in the modern bedroom, especially for women.

When used as a lube, Foria is absorbed by the membrane of the vagina to provide a topical (not psychoactive) high for feelings of tingling, sensitivity and warmth. "I tried this product with a large dose of skepticism at first, but oh my god, I haven't had orgasms this intense for decades," Joan Price, a Foria customer, reported in a testimonal, shared with Mic.

Foria has even received testimonies from several women with vaginismus and endometriosis, plus one woman recovering from breast cancer, whose sex lives have turned around after incorporating Foria, according to Brittany Confer, director of marketing. After selling more than 10,000 units online in the California market, and expanding to Colorado in January, the entrepreneurs aim to expand to Oregon, Washington, Arizona and beyond.

"We're working on an anal lube," Confer told Mic, hoping to provide a product for the gay community. "Foria as it exists now, vaginally, does not give you a psychoactive high. The anal lube will. Out of the three holes — your mouth, vagina and anus — you actually absorb the most from the backdoor."

Finding the best strains for sex: Another sexual innovation? Nailing down which are the best strains for sex. Because strain is such an important component of marijuana usage during sex, Leafly — a kind of Yelp of weed — provides guides to which strains are the most arousing and energizing. As for Karras, the therapist, he recommends certain strains to couples, including Asian Fantasy or Lavender Trainwreck, which give the smoker a sense of euphoria without that "couch lock." "We're working on a line of vape pen cartridges called Surrender, for couples to make love," Karras said. "A strain that really works well for sex."

Pervading the latest in weed and sex innovations — from vaginal lubricants to the Tinder-like High There app — is how weed can aid many couples through the common pitfalls we all experience in bed: the awkwardness, the stilted conversation, the feelings of anxiety.

"We want to remind the world that pleasure is an important part of health," Confer said. "If you run every day and eat healthy, but you're not experiencing any pleasure, you're missing a component. That will affect your everyday life." Luckily, weed is here to bring that pleasure back to all those willing to take a puff.

* Name has been changed to allow subject to speak freely on private matters.

But if you’re like many young people, your only exposure to the sticky-icky has been in college or at parties, where you’ve smoked other people’s joints and hit off other people’s bongs.So, if you live in a state where pot is legal, how do you bring weed into the bedroom if you’re not sure how to get the green stuff from the bag into your body without just eating it? (Please, don’t do that.) Let our beginner’s guide lead the way.

Before we start, remember: Never ever dose your partner without his or her consent. Pot in the bedroom should be a joint experience. No pun intended. Now then!

First, clear your mind and get in the moment. Before using cannabis with your partner, it’s important to get into the right (chill) headspace. “No matter the method or strain of cannabis used, the real key to its implementation is the individual’s intention that they bring to the experience,” said Kami Lennox, who is researching the effects of cannabis on sex with well-known sexologist Nick Karras.“If the mind is open to the infinite potential of the moment, then the benefits of increased sensation can be harnessed, especially in the realm of sexuality,” Lennox told Fusion.“The high of cannabis allows its user to slow down and become more mindful, thus enabling the sexual exchange to become less goal-oriented and more about the present sexploration process.”

Mellow mindset? Check. Now onto the basics.

Second, note that strain and dose are key

The two most important things to understand when it comes to sex and weed are strain and dose. Karras, the sexologist, recommends a sativa or hybrid mix for peak intimacy. Why? Sativas create euphoric, happy, energetic feelings.

Also, bear in mind that everyone reacts differently. “I’ve been finding that people with ADHD, they prefer the indica strains,” said Karras. Indica is generally associated with mellow, sedated highs—the weed that puts you to sleep—but may work as an aphrodisiac for some. For more info about specific strains and sex, check out our do’s and don’ts for getting high with your honey.

Method no. 1: Sex on weed using bowls and bubblers

Now onto the methods. Smoking is, of course, a popular method for many, since cannabis is quickly absorbed from the lungs into the bloodstream. If you’re too intimidated to roll your own joint, however, a bowl or bubbler is your new best friend. You simply load (“pack the bowl“), light, and smoke.For the uninitiated, a bubbler is like a bowl, but has water at the bottom, which makes the smoke intake a little smoother than a regular bowl. Read: less coughing.

What it does: “Smoking is a pretty immediate high, which can work well in intimate situations,” said Karras. In other words, you’ll feel the euphoric, sexually arousing affects instantly. “At that point it’s all about touching and feeling,” said Karras. Just ride with it.

Method no. 2: Sex on weed using joints

Smoking a joint requires rolling a joint, which can be tricky. You’ll need papers, a grinder, perhaps a little instruction, and some patience if you’re a first-timer. (FYI, grinders are devices that, yes, grind the herb into the proper size and consistency.) If you’re aiming to make the experience romantic, you might want to pre-roll the joint before your date, to avoid having to frantically google “How to roll a joint” in front of your boo.

What it does: Like bowls and bubblers, the high can be pretty instant, which can be good for romance. “In a sexual situation, it quickly puts you into a mindful place where you can connect with your partner,” said Karras.

Method no. 3: Sex on weed using edibles

Pot edibles are a popular gag on TV and in movies—you know, Watch out for those brownies! But in real life, taking advantage of edibles, especially in the bedroom, requires some finesse.

First of all, the method offers a different high than smoking, since the cannabis is absorbed through your digestive tract. Edibles can take nearly an hour to kick in—you don’t really know when the cannabis will take effect—and they usually create a less euphoric high. In fact, they generally create a stoned, comatose high. Not so sexy.

Cooking edibles also requires knowledge about dosage—and since you might not know how much of a “hit” you’re getting with each bite, the method can be risky. Many have fallen into the trap of initially feeling nothing, eating more, then feeling too much.

What it does: According to Karras, edibles are not the best option for sex, unless you’re experienced with how your body reacts. “Stay as far away from the edibles as you can because of dosage,” he said. “If you’re planning a romantic evening, you don’t want to screw it up.” Also, the high can last four to six hours, which can be overwhelming for some.

Method no. 4: Sex on weed using loose-leaf portable vaporizers

For those who’d prefer a sleek alternative to smoking, consider the loose leaf vape pen. These work similarly to bowls: You pack a little ground-up weed into the chamber, let the pen heat up (usually one to five minutes), and then start taking hits. There’s even a little light that tells you when it’s good to go. Instead of smoke, you’re inhaling vapor, and the high is pretty fast. You can also invest in a table-top vaporizer, but they’re not usually as portable (and thus, as convenient) as pens.

What it does: The speed of a vape pen means you can get to the intimate part of the experience more quickly. Plus, the lack of actual smoke means no unsexy coughing or throat burning. The downside? A good pen like the Pax (yep, the one Abbi and Ilana use on Broad City) runs about $200.

What it does: Since the cannabis is absorbed through the skin, topicals produce only localized effects. “We created a product that is non-psychoactive,” the CEO of Foria told Fusion. “It’s a sensory based experience.” These products can certainly add spice to your bedroom life, but they may not create the same intimate connection with your partner as a whole-body high.

Finally, remember, practice makes perfect.

One last tip? “Many first time users of cannabis find themselves overwhelmed by the experience and never give it another try,” said Lennox. “Practice is key.”

Weed’s got a dirty little secret: It holds the power to transform our sex lives. Our ancient ancestors believed it (hello, tantric sex rituals), researchers in the 70s and 80s tried to prove it, and today, savvy “potrepreneurs” are attempting to capitalize on it. Cannabis-laced lube is only the beginning.

What can pot do in bed? With the right strain and dosage, it can slooow down time, making every touch feel more intense, every kiss more passionate. For some people with sexual dysfunctions, it can make the unreachable reachable. And as with medical marijuana, those who stand to benefit extend beyond, say, whoever’s signing up for that new dating app for pot lovers.

As states move to legalize marijuana, the drug is poised to enter the bedroom in weird and wonderful ways—potentially changing the way we mate forever. We spoke with experts and advocates about the little-understood aphrodisiac’s potential between the sheets. Here’s what we learned.

But it wasn’t until the 1970s and 80s when pot was making a comeback into American culture that U.S. researchers James Halikas, Ronald Weller, and others conducted multiple studies that seemingly proved marijuana’s aphrodisiac effects. Participants in these studies reported enhanced touch, heightened intimacy, stronger orgasms, and better sex in general.

Since then, the research has gone flaccid. “Very little has been done on this topic since the 1980s,” said Mitch Earleywine, a professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany who has researched marijuana for years. “There’s no funding for it, and everybody tends to treat it as fact.”As more states legalize the drug, pot researchers and advocates hope funding will follow.

What’s the science behind it?Cannabis contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids, the most active and famous being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), explained Dustin Sulak, an osteopathic physician in Maine who lectures on medical marijuana nationally. And humans have built-in receptors for cannabinoids nearly everywhere: our brain, nervous system, and yes, sexual organs.

When we use marijuana, cannabinoids bind to these receptors, prompting changes in key parts of the brain. Along with causing an increased appetite and tendency to wax philosophical, these chemical reactions can lead to mind-blowing sex—by slowing down time, making us more sensitive to touch, and reducing stress.Take weed’s impact on the hippocampus, which controls memory: When under the influence of marijuana, our short-term memory becomes inhibited, Sulak said, making sex feel longer and allowing us to “stay in the moment” rather than worry about that unpaid electric bill.

What does all this look like in practice? ;)Marijuana doesn’t just enable some people to have sex, but improves on sex itself, said San Diego-based sexologist Nick Karras, famous for his book Petals. Karras and his colleague Kami Lennox are studying marijuana’s effects in the bedroom, based on testimonials they’re collecting from real-life users. He regularly recommends cannabis to his own clients.

“I’m a sexologist, I help couples try to reconnect sexually,” he told Fusion. “Most people turn to alcohol to connect, but marijuana slows you down. You can sit and look at each other, enjoy each other’s bodies. When it comes to pot, it’s all about touching and feeling.”

“Between depression, two kids, and a full work life, sex was last on my list,” said one woman in Karras’ study. “Now it is back in a big way … I was never sure that I was ‘supposed’ to enjoy sex, with pot I am convinced that I can have it all—sex, fun, and orgasmic experiences.”Another participant said she had lost her sex drive completely thanks to menopause. Then she and her husband attempted sex with marijuana for the first time.

“We began to explore each other’s bodies in ways we never had before, taking plenty of time to feel the extraordinary pleasure in just touching each other with tongue and fingers,” she said.Sulak, the osteopathic physician in Maine, said he’s heard of cannabis restoring sexual capacity in his clinics’ clients for a variety of reasons, including pain reduction, forgetting trauma, stress relief, bringing awareness into the present, and even enabling erection.

“Unlike men’s Viagra, cannabis doesn’t have a single effect on physiology,” he said. “It has broad effects on body and mind, and can be used to facilitate healing of the root of sexual dysfunction, as well as making the experience of sex a little—or maybe a lot—better.”

How are ‘potrepreneurs’ getting in on the action?Last month, Foria began selling its pot-infused lubricant in legal marijuana dispensaries across Colorado—it had previously only been available with a medical marijuana card in California. The product, which is sprayed on the vagina, promises to enhance orgasms and make sex more pleasurable. Testimonials from women who’ve tried it are pretty incredible.

Foria’s CEO, Mathew Gerson, who first cut his teeth in the condom game (he founded Sir Richard’s Condoms), told Fusion that the lube contains no psychoactive properties, so it doesn’t make you high. “It creates a purely sensory based experience,” Gerson told Fusion, “allowing the user to relax, de-stress, slow down, and enjoy sex.”

Gerson said his company has reached out to local sex therapists, who’ve begun to tell patients with marijuana cards about the product. The company plans to expand to more states as recreational legalization spreads.

Foria isn’t the only company developing sex-related pot products. Colorado-based firm Apothecanna, already known for its marijuana lip balm, is also developing a pot-laced lubricant, but it’s unclear when it will go to market. And SC Labs, which runs a cannabis testing facility in California, is working with doctors and researchers to test a slew of new products—massage oil, pain-relieving gels, even anal and vaginal suppositories—said president Josh Wurzer.

Marijuana is a complicated plant that contains between 450 and 500 alkaloids—chemical compounds that have very different physiological effects on humans, warned Estelle Goldstein, a psychiatrist in San Diego. “It dares modern pharmacological research to solve its mysteries,” she said.One of those mysteries is dosage. According to Goldstein, smaller amounts may make users sexually frisky, whereas larger amounts may leave them “stoned.” And of course, getting stoned can be sexual suicide. “A little is optimal, too much has diminishing returns,” she said.Karras echoed this sentiment: “Pot reacts differently in different people,” he said. “Strain is very important, dosage is more important, and also intention—getting into that mindful place where you can connect with your partner.”

What’s next?Of course, the future of sex and weed relies on the continued legalization of marijuana—and the education, outreach, and research that will follow.In the meantime, if you live in a state where pot is legal, proceed with caution. And a little Barry White.